Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Union denounces 'retrogressive' labor policy
Tens of thousands of Korea Confederation of Trade Unions members urge the government to secure basic labor rights on Yeouido in Seoul, Saturday. Yonhap
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Tens of thousands of members of the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) have called for guarantee of basic labor rights, denouncing the labor policies of the Moon Jae-in administration they had fiercely supported.
The members of one of the nation's two umbrella unions held a massive rally on Yeouido in Seoul, Saturday, urging the government to abolish irregular and temporary positions and carry out chaebol reform.
The union claimed around 100,000 people took part in the rally, which was also aimed at commemorating Chun Tae-il, a former worker at a garment factory who died in 1970 at the age of 22 after setting himself on fire in protest of the poor working conditions of garment workers.
“We laborers and citizens gave the power to the Moon government, but it neglected its tasks to reform chaebol and expand basic labor rights, and is rather regressing,” Kim Myeong-hwan, KCTU president, said in his opening speech, adding the Moon administration is no different from the previous business-friendly Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations.
“If the government tries to trample on the basic labor rights of 20 million workers, we will counter it with an all-out strike,” he said. “If the Moon administration pushes ahead of forcing workers to sacrifice and still dreams of winning next year's general election and solidifying its power, it will be unavoidable for the government to meet catastrophe.”
The KCTU also expressed opposition to the move by the current government and the National Assembly to expand the flexible work hour system from the current three months to six months.
The flexible work hour system allows employees to work longer during peak seasons and work less on not-so-busy days, as long as a maximum weekly average of 52 hours is maintained over a three-month period, a measure to help companies struggling to adapt to the 52-hour workweek structure.
While the government is considering expanding the period to six months upon requests from businesses, the union claims the expansion will lead to overwork and reduction in overtime pay and virtually break the 52-hour workweek structure.
“This society calls exploitation of workers the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Is this the best society you can present?” Kim said.
After the rally, participants marched to the Assembly holding banners that read “Against Labor Law retrogression” and “secure basic Labor Law.”
During the rally, there were some minor clashes between KCTU members and police officers such as pushing and shoving.
Ahead of the main rally, 11 affiliates under the KCTU held smaller rallies around the capital.
The Korean Teachers and Education Worker's Union (KTU) held a rally in front of Cheong Wa Dae, urging the government to restore its legal status, while the union of workers at department stores and duty free shops gathered to call for their right to rest.
Conservative groups, meanwhile, gathered at Gwanghwamun Square, denouncing the government's reform policies and demanding President Moon step down.